π-conjugated polymer-based chemical sensors

π-Conjugated polymers possessing beneficial properties such as optical features are promising materials as platforms for chemical sensors by introducing appropriate molecular recognition moieties. Among π-conjugated polymers, polythiophenes are representative materials with flexible backbones that enable the functionalization of side chains at the 3- and/or 4-positions. The dynamics of the polymer behavior by analyte capture cause optical changes, which allow real-sample analysis for food analysis, environmental assessments, and clinical applications. The author has attempted to establish polymer-based chemosensors and their chips on solid-state substrates for pattern recognition. The latest results of π-conjugated polymer-based sensors will be presented.